How I Budget For A Big Expense - What I Spent As A Destination Wedding Guest

We were just guests at a destination wedding for the very first time, and we want to break down how much it cost for us to attend!

Destination weddings are almost always going to be more expensive to attend than a local wedding, but how much they cost will differ based on a number of factors, including location. This one was in Lake Como, Italy - which is a pretty high cost destination in general. We tried to spend as little as possible (key words: 'as possible', because it was still very expensive!). In this video we'll break down how much we spent on flights, hotels, other transportation, outfits, and food.

Remember, if you're going to attend a destination wedding, create a budget so you can save up and keep your costs controlled - it's easy for it to add up! If you have any other tips or stories from when you were a guest at a destination wedding, let us know if the comments below!

0:00 Guests at a destination wedding
1:24 Lake Como, Italy is... expensive (!)
3:29 Expense 1: Flights
5:25 Expense 2: Accommodations
8:01 Expense 3: Transportation
8:49 Expense 4: Food
10:06 Expense 5: Wedding Outfits

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[stephandden]

How much have you spent to be a wedding guest in the past (destination or local)? Let us know! 👀

[jocelyndunkley]

Probably the most detailed breakdown of wedding costs I’ve seen. It would have been nice to see the total at the end since you threw out a lot of numbers. I live in Europe and everyone knows that Lake Como is a place where all the rich people have their vacation houses so I can imagine the cost to be ridiculous. But trust that it’s really not that expensive everywhere else.

[LenzGoDeep]

Awesome video!!!! seriously you all do an amazing job!!!

[ashleygesty]

Very informative, thanks for sharing! Cost me about $1200 being a bridesmaid in a wedding, so expensive!

[glen]

I've never been so happy to have friends that are also poor and have non existent dating lives.

[financialresuscitationwith]

Love your videos! They are a great resource for my clients.
We spent $12k for a family of four in 2 weeks over 4 European countries visiting friends and staying with them. Not a destination wedding but still a great vacation!

[Kittenmom]

Loved the video thank you for make it realistic

[RajaHindustaniEkNumber]

Great video. Thank you! If you don't mind, can you please share the name of the hotel you stayed at in lake como?

[Jibril_Abdulkadir]

Another great and informative vid from you guys 🤩

[silkalmony]

My best friend is getting married this year and so far we're looking at $6k for flights, $2k for accommodations (11 nights airbnb, 8 nights resort), $500 for dress/hair/makeup, $1.4k for a suit. It's slightly easier to justify when you squeeze in a mini vacation, and get to visit family but 😬💸

[andreaorofalo]

My suggestion is always the same when going to a foreign destination for any event: contact local friends if possible. They will surely have way better suggestions than the ones you can find on the internet.

[madameclem]

I think whatever class of flights you buy you are never sure of being there on time, there is very often delay cancellations etc. Especially if there is layovers, it often snowbowls

[adventurousbec]

Awe, I preferred the thumbnail with the two of you.

[theyofactor]

I think the hosts should pay for destination weddings. Are you going to have a separate video showing your trip to Lake Como?

[imWillJ]

both of you have nice casual fashion taste, question, do any of you buy anything designer, just curious, great content.

[asadb]

How do afford attending multiple events, vacations, etc.

[cristinabevilacqua]

I’m curious about this because I have a destination wedding coming up… do you still bring a gift that you would usually give at a wedding that’s local at a destination wedding? Given that you are spending so much to travel there, I’m not too sure how it works when it comes to the actual gift for the couple. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks! :)

[Genzmillenial]

Just curious, given that destination weddings will always be more expensive, is there any financial aid from the wedding couple or is it just communicated that they would understand if you can’t come due to finances?